Context: a comfort-movie series
In the latest contribution to a series in which writers name the films they turn to for a lift, a Guardian columnist makes the case for Jim Carrey’s 1997 comedy Liar Liar as a go-to feelgood picture. The piece frames the film as a surprising entry on a list otherwise populated by widely recognized classics and seasonal favourites.
A concise premise with wide appeal
Liar Liar is built around a straightforward conceit: a successful lawyer who habitually lies finds himself literally unable to utter an untruth after his young son makes a birthday wish. What might have been a throwaway 1990s broad comedy instead becomes a vehicle that mixes broad physical humour with a clear emotional core.
Performance and script
The writer singles out Carrey’s manic, elastic performance as the chief reason the film transcends its premise, calling it the element that lifts the material into what they describe as “rarefied air.” They also credit a brisk, clever script and a capable supporting cast for keeping the story grounded when the comedy grows hectic. In the column the writer goes so far as to say Carrey’s work should have been Oscar-worthy — an opinion presented as their view rather than an industry consensus.
Enduring appeal
The article argues that Liar Liar’s enduring appeal comes from its balance of slapstick spectacle and a recognisable family dynamic: the professional façade challenged by personal truth, and a parent’s stumbles toward reconnection with a child. For the writer, those elements make it a repeatable comfort film that still lands on difficult days, alongside more established staples on their list.
Place in 1990s comedy
Framed against a crowded field of 1990s comedies, the piece suggests Liar Liar avoids becoming disposable by keeping emotional stakes clear amid the jokes. Whether viewed today as a high point in Carrey’s 1990s run or simply a reliably uplifting film, the columnist presents it as an unexpectedly effective pick-me-up.